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COWDEN, TAMMY LOUISE Age 52 years old, of Phoenix, Arizona gently passed away December 1, 2014 with her family at her side and with the loving intentions of all her family and friends that could not attend, after a long and courageous battle with sepsis. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all those hearts that shared her life with her. Tammy was born on March 14, 1962 in' Sanford, Florida to Jack Wayne McMains and Beth Stoeckly Lutjens (deceased). Her early years where spent with the riggers of family military life with her brothers James Lys McMains and Daniel Wayne McMains and sister Lane McMains. As a child she was remembered most by her wild curly hair, sparkling eyes and joyful smiles. Her father retired from the military in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the early seventies where Tammy was able to attend elementary, junior high and Sandia High School. Her friends say she was a clown in a silly kind of way. And that she could make a friend with anyone, that no one was a stranger to her. She was very involved in volunteering at the Rio Grande Zoo and helping her family raise baby exotic animals before the zoo had a full time nursery. She especially loved raising squirrel monkeys. To her classmate's delight she would often share her unique experiences during storytelling or speech time. One time she brought a monkey to school for a speech on "How to diaper a monkey". She got an A that day ... After the birth of her beloved first son, Justin James McMains they both moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico where she met her future husband Bill Cowden. Tammy and Bill were married on August 16, 1986 and they shared 28 wonderful years together. They moved to Phoenix, Arizona shortly after their marriage where they had three more sons - David Graham Cowden, William Shane Cowden and Daniel Sean Cowden. Her days were filled with raising four rambunctious boys and supporting her husband with his new career. She did however always find time and loved to travel. She relished the unbeaten path and the discoveries they held. Many who traveled with her will tell you she would say something like "There's a fork in the road, you wanna go left or right?" She didn't care about directions she cared about the adventure ahead and the beauty she would see. The beauty she saw eventually led to another passion - that of black and white photography. She attended the Chandler-Gilbert Community College and volunteered for many years at the department's dark room. Many students have told us how much she has influenced them. From 2003 - 2005 she served along with Chuck Lambson at The Gilbert Visual Art League (GVAL) organizing local art shows and promoting area artist. Tammy most loved being the grandmother of Juan and Jackie Ceja-Hucke, Alex James McMains-Hucke, Sierra Eve McMains-Hucke and Kaleb Dale McMains-Hucke. And she had a very special relationship with the mother of her grandchildren Sherry Henke, and her step father Don Lutjens and her step mother Alcyon McMains. Tammy was a great lady, a generous person and as her son's say "a Bad Ass Mom". Farewell Tammy you are so loved words can never express it. Sniff ...A memorial for Tammy is being held on Monday December 8,2014 at 2:00 pm at the Legacy Funeral Home, 1374 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, Arizona 85225.
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